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glitzyglamgirl · Apr 3, 2008, 11:03 pm

Ive had a quick search and cant see this being discussed anywhere, but apologies if it has already been done....I havnt been on here for aaaages

I am in the UK, and one thing that bugs the hell out of me is people who have no jobs having kids....more so when they actually plan it....and raising those kids on benefits who then grow up believing it to be an acceptable way of life so go on to repeat the same thing.

Now dont get me wrong, I realise that child benefit is there to help those who find themselves in the terrible situation of being out of work with children....perhaps the main earner parent buggers off or sadly dies, or one parent becomes ill needing the second to care for them full-time, or any manner of unavoidable circumstances - but i'm talking about the people who start off unemployed and get pregnant either intentionally or through being completely irresponsible and dont take any measure to ensure they can financially support themselves and their family.

It seems to me it breeds the same, again and again and again.

Would it be in the interest of the greater good to stop these benefits altogether? People would soon be more careful with contraception and plan their families much more sensibly if they didnt have the cushion of child benefit to fall into and take it for granted that if they cant look after themselves, someone else always will.

Maybe a solution would be to only award these benefits to families who have previously worked and paid taxes and NI and find themselves, through no fault of their own, in difficult situations?

I really think something needs to be done to stop the growing number of unemployed, young, often single parent families that are...whether you like to admit it or not...destroying this country, and free up the funds to give proper support to those families who really need it.

Your thoughts?

Nuitana · Apr 4, 2008, 12:03 am

Well, this is America, so my perspective comes from a different place. I think there is nothing wrong with the choice of motherhood as a career, and in fact, there is more wrong with policy that is anti-child, anti-family and anti-intrinsic value of a human being. The last is apparent in a system that does not provide its citizens with full access and choice in healthcare.

You've probably heard it said before that if one waits to be financially comfortable to have a child, one may be waiting a long time. So long that the family is never created.

I don't think it's ever in the greater good to deny people their basic needs. The impoverished effect everyone. The poor and sick live in the same society as all of us, and we all share in their misfortune to some extent.

Quote:

...if they didnt have the cushion of child benefit to fall into and take it for granted that if they cant look after themselves, someone else always will.

Everyone should be able to take that for granted, as a general rule in a civilized society.

glitzyglamgirl · Apr 4, 2008, 12:52 am

In an ideal world you would be spot on. In an ideal world everyone would have access to the same basic requirements, be equal in the eyes of all, be accountable for their own actions and take responsibility for the well-being of every living thing on the planet. But we dont live in that ideal world, we live in a world where I have no choice but to go out and work and pay taxes and be a good girl and do as I am told. It stinks, and it drives me barmy sometimes. But I do it because I would rather do that then allow everyone else to carry me.

Bluh....ive just done a 12 hour night shift and im exhausted, crabby, and quite possibly asleep right now as I type. Its hard to tell. So maybe i'm talking nonsense who knows :)

Nuitana · Apr 4, 2008, 01:11 am

I don't think you're talking nonsense, but I want that ideal world. That is what there is to strive for. I don't know if you hate your life, because you say you would rather do what you do than allow others to carry you, but as a general rule, I believe that those who grudgingly conform to what they think they have to do can end up having poorer health and greater resentment. These things are costly, although many like to ignore that fact.

Apr 3, 2008, 11:03 pm	#1 (permalink) (top)
glitzyglamgirl Sedimentary Rock Location: South Wales - UK Posts: 9	Is child benefit a negative influence? Ive had a quick search and cant see this being discussed anywhere, but apologies if it has already been done....I havnt been on here for aaaages I am in the UK, and one thing that bugs the hell out of me is people who have no jobs having kids....more so when they actually plan it....and raising those kids on benefits who then grow up believing it to be an acceptable way of life so go on to repeat the same thing. Now dont get me wrong, I realise that child benefit is there to help those who find themselves in the terrible situation of being out of work with children....perhaps the main earner parent buggers off or sadly dies, or one parent becomes ill needing the second to care for them full-time, or any manner of unavoidable circumstances - but i'm talking about the people who start off unemployed and get pregnant either intentionally or through being completely irresponsible and dont take any measure to ensure they can financially support themselves and their family. It seems to me it breeds the same, again and again and again. Would it be in the interest of the greater good to stop these benefits altogether? People would soon be more careful with contraception and plan their families much more sensibly if they didnt have the cushion of child benefit to fall into and take it for granted that if they cant look after themselves, someone else always will. Maybe a solution would be to only award these benefits to families who have previously worked and paid taxes and NI and find themselves, through no fault of their own, in difficult situations? I really think something needs to be done to stop the growing number of unemployed, young, often single parent families that are...whether you like to admit it or not...destroying this country, and free up the funds to give proper support to those families who really need it. Your thoughts?

Apr 4, 2008, 01:11 am	#4 (permalink) (top)
Nuitana Sedimentary Rock Location: CA USA Posts: 9	I don't think you're talking nonsense, but I want that ideal world. That is what there is to strive for. I don't know if you hate your life, because you say you would rather do what you do than allow others to carry you, but as a general rule, I believe that those who grudgingly conform to what they think they have to do can end up having poorer health and greater resentment. These things are costly, although many like to ignore that fact. ~Nuitana~

Apr 4, 2008, 12:52 am	#3 (permalink) (top)
glitzyglamgirl Sedimentary Rock Location: South Wales - UK Posts: 9	In an ideal world you would be spot on. In an ideal world everyone would have access to the same basic requirements, be equal in the eyes of all, be accountable for their own actions and take responsibility for the well-being of every living thing on the planet. But we dont live in that ideal world, we live in a world where I have no choice but to go out and work and pay taxes and be a good girl and do as I am told. It stinks, and it drives me barmy sometimes. But I do it because I would rather do that then allow everyone else to carry me. Bluh....ive just done a 12 hour night shift and im exhausted, crabby, and quite possibly asleep right now as I type. Its hard to tell. So maybe i'm talking nonsense who knows :)